Serie A giants AS Roma are reportedly considering a January move for Chelsea star Gary Cahill, but the Blues are not expected to sell the veteran unless the Italians come up with a massive offer.

That's according to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard, who claims the England international is “unsettled” after starting just five matches in the last two months. He adds the 30-year-old is worried about his starting position with the Three Lions, which could clear the way for a move.

Cahill only recently signed a new deal with the Blues but has fallen behind John Terry and Kurt Zouma in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Interim manager Guus Hiddink maintains the defender still has a role to play, however, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

Liam Twomey @liam_twomey

Hiddink says he's spoken to Gary Cahill about his future in recent days: "He is of big value and will prove that in the upcoming time." #cfc

Roma have fallen behind Napoli and Juventus in the Serie A title race and could use an experienced defender like Cahill, who could form an excellent partnership with summer arrival Antonio Rudiger.

The German has mainly paired with Kostas Manolas this season, but the latter has struggled after an impressive start to the campaign. Leandro Castan provides depth behind the duo, but the Brazilian has looked far from convincing.

The addition of Cahill would hand the Giallorossi a significant boost, and the club has the funds to complete a transfer after selling Gervinho in January. Chelsea are unlikely to sell one of their most experienced players at the centre-back position, however.

New York Red Bulls' Matt Miazga is on the verge of joining the Blues and will add depth to the position, but per Chelsea's official Twitter account, Hiddink hardly sounds convinced he'll make much of an impact early in his career at Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC

Guus says Matt Miazga will be a squad player when his deal is finalised and the manager will assess his qualities in training. #CFC

That leaves Terry, Zouma and Cahill as the main players competing for the starting position, with Branislav Ivanovic as an alternative option. While the group of defenders features plenty of quality, depth is limited, and losing someone like Cahill could have devastating effects.

Per Johnson, Cahill is more likely to assess his situation during the summer, when he'll know more about his future at the club. The Blues should have a new manager by then, which should help clarify the situation.

Norwich City Want Patrick Bamford

Norwich City are reportedly waiting for an answer from Chelsea regarding their bid to sign talented youngster Patrick Bamford on a permanent transfer, per Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror.

Lewis says the 22-year-old is keen to move to the Canaries, but Chelsea would insert a buy-back clause in the deal, ensuring they could bring him back to west London should he realise his potential with Norwich.

Bamford has long been touted as one of Chelsea's brightest prospects, and he impressed on loan with Middlesbrough during the 2014-15 season, almost firing the club to the Premier League. He joined Crystal Palace on loan in the summer, but he failed to make the grade at Selhurst Park.

He has since returned to Stamford Bridge but looks likely to leave the club again, with Alexandre Pato on the verge of joining the Blues, as confirmed by Hiddink, per the club's official Twitter account:

Chelsea FC @ChelseaFC

Guus says Pato is in London with the final paperwork still to be completed. He says there is no rush. #CFC

Here's a look at some of Bamford's highlights from last season:

A permanent move in which the door back to Stamford Bridge remains open may be the perfect solution for Bamford. The youngster is too talented to be loaned to a club from the lower leagues, where there's little left to learn for him, while Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace have little interest in developing a loanee from another team.

Unless the Blues have any intention of playing him―and the Pato signing indicates they don't―Bamford won't develop at Stamford Bridge, either, but he might just take the next step with Norwich City.

Per WhoScored.com, the Canaries have scored just 28 goals during the Premier League campaign, so they'll be willing to play Bamford early and often if he shows enough in training. And while a buy-back clause is no guarantee Bamford actually returns―the player could refuse to if he enjoys regular playing time with Norwich―it's a deal the Blues should at least consider.